Researchers from the toxicology laboratory of University of
Calcutta conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNP) with HMBA
(2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzoic acid), a compound they extracted from the root of
the herb Anantamul (H. indicus),
which shows anti-venom activity.

Animal experiments showed that the GNP-HMBA combination
successfully neutralized all kinds of toxicity (nephrotoxicity, myotoxicity and
hepatotoxicity) in mice injected with the venom of Russell's viper, one of the
most venomous snakes.

"There are about 600 species of venomous snakes around
the world, of which 60 are in India," says Antony Gomes, one of the
authors. Antisnake venom serum (ASVS) is the only available treatment for
snake-bite but it has many adverse effects and limitations. The herb-nanoparticle
may open up a new strategy to treat snake-bite. More intensive
research is needed to explore the mechanism of action of GNP-HMBA in detail,
the researchers say.